Spiro-lactams and analogs thereof useful as aldose reductase inhibitors

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to spiro-lactams and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, to processes for their preparation, to methods for using the compounds, and to pharmaceutical preparations thereof. The compounds have pharmaceutical properties which render them beneficial for the prevention or treatment of diabetes mellitus associated complications.

This is a continuation-in-part application of copending application U.S. Ser. No. 07/596,277, filed Oct. 12, 1990, ABN.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to spiro-lactams and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, to processes for their preparation, to methods for using the compounds, and to pharmaceutical preparations thereof. The compounds have pharmaceutical properties which render them beneficial for the prevention or treatment of complications associated with diabetes mellitus.

The use of insulin and/or oral hypoglycemic agents in the treatment of diabetes mellitus has prolonged the life of many of these patients. However, their use has not had a demonstrable impact on the development of diabetic complications such as neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, cataracts and vascular disease which accompany the underlying metabolic disorder. There is little question that chronic hyperglycemia plays a major role in the genesis of these complications, and that complete normalization of blood glucose would likely prevent most if not all complications. For a number of reasons, though, chronic normalization of blood glucose has not been achieved with the currently available therapies.

The long-term complications of diabetes develop in tissues where glucose uptake is independent of insulin. In these tissues, which include the lens, retina, kidney and peripheral nerves, the systemic hyperglycemia of diabetes is rapidly transposed into high tissular concentrations of glucose. In all of these tissues this excess glucose is rapidly metabolized by the sorbitol pathway. The intense diabetesinduced flux of glucose through this pathway appears to initiate a cascade of biochemical alterations which slowly progress to cell dysfunction and structural damage. Aldose reductase, the key enzyme in the sorbitol pathway, reduces glucose to sorbitol at the expense of the cofactor NADPH. In animal models of diabetes, compounds which inhibit aldose reductase have been shown to prevent the biochemical, functional and morphological changes induced by hyperglycemia. Early studies by J. H. Kinoshita and collaborators implicated aldose reductase in the etiology of diabetic cataracts. More recent studies have provided compelling evidence that aldose reductase also plays a significant role in the initiation of diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy (cf McCaleb et al, J. Diab. Comp., 2, 16, 1989; Robison et al, Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., 30, 2285, 1989; Notvest and Inserra, Diabetes, 36, 500, 1987.)

PRIOR ART

The closest prior art is Malamas U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,831, May 22, 1990, which discloses the spiro-isoquinoline-pyrrolidine tetrones of formula ##STR1## useful as aldose reductase inhibitors for treating complications of diabetes and galactosemia.

Archibald et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,870,721, disclose 4-alkanoylamino isoquinoline diones useful as anti-bacterial agents, anti-depressant agents, anti-fungal agents and as inhibitors of blood platelet aggregation.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The spiro-lactams of the present invention are represented by formula (I): ##STR2## wherein: R¹ and R² are independently hydrogen, alkyl containing 1 and 6 carbon atoms, halogen, lower alkoxy containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl or nitro;

R³ is hydrogen, lower alkyl containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl (lower alkyl) or halogen substituted phenyl (lower alkyl) wherein lower alkyl contains 1 to 6 carbon atoms and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

A more preferred group of compounds of the present invention is represented by formula (II): ##STR3## wherein: R¹ and R² are hydrogen and halogen, and R³ is lower alkyl containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a dihalogen substituted benzyl.

The most preferred compounds of the present invention are set forth below:

6'-chloro-2'-methylspiro[azetidine-2,4'(1'H)-isoquinoline]-1',3',4(2'H)-trione;

6'-bromo-2'-methylspiro[azetidine-2,4'(1'H)-isoquinoline]-1',3',4(2'H)-trione.

The compounds of formula (I) all possess at least one asymmetric carbon atom, namely the spiro carbon atom at position 2 of the azetidine ring. The compounds of formula (I) therefore exist, and may be isolated, in two or more stereoisomeric forms. This invention encompasses the compounds of formula (I) in racemic form or in any optically active form.

The spiro-lactams can be prepared by the processes described hereinafter.

A method is provided for preventing or relieving diabetes mellitus associated complications in a diabetic mammal by administering to said mammal a prophylactic or alleviating amount of the compounds of formula (I). Such complications include neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, keratopathy, diabetic uveitis, cataracts and limited joint mobility.

The compounds of formula (I), when admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, form a pharmaceutical composition which can be used according to the preceding method.

The spiro-lactams of this invention may be administered to mammals, for example, man, cattle, or rabbits, either alone or in dosage forms, i.e., capsules or tablets, combined with pharmacologically acceptable excipients.

The compounds of this invention may be given orally. However, the method of administering the present active ingredients of this invention is not to be construed as limited to a particular mode of administration. For example, the compounds may be administered topically directly to the eye in the form of drops of sterile, buffered ophthalmic solutions, preferably of pH 7.2-7.6. Also, they may be administered orally in solid form containing such excipients as starch, milk sugar, certain types of clay and so forth. They may also be administered orally in the form of solutions or they may be injected parenterally. For parenteral administration, they may be used in the form of a sterile solution, preferably of pH 7.2-7.6, containing a pharmaceutically acceptable buffer.

The dosage of the spiro-lactams will vary with the form of administration and the particular compound chosen. Furthermore, it will vary with the particular host under treatment. Generally, treatment is initiated with small dosages substantially less than the optimal dose of the compound. Thereafter, the dosage is increased by small increments until efficacy is obtained. In general, the compounds of this invention are most desirably administered at a concentration level that will generally afford effective results without causing any harmful or deleterious side effects. For topical administration, a 0.05-1.0% solution may be administered dropwise in the eye. The frequency of instillation varies with the subject under treatment from a drop every two or three days to once daily. For oral or parenteral administration a preferred level of dosage ranges from about 20 mg to about 250 mg per kilo of body weight per day, although aforementioned variations will occur. However, a dosage level that is in the range of from about 20 mg to about 250 mg per kilo of body weight per day is most satisfactory.

Unit dosage forms such as capsules, tablets, pills and the like may contain from about 50 mg to about 500 mg of the active ingredients of this invention with a pharmaceutical carrier. Thus, for oral administration, capsules can contain from between about 50 mg to about 500 mg of the active ingredients of this invention with or without a pharmaceutical diluent. Tablets, either effervescent or noneffervescent, can contain between about 50 to 500 mg of the active ingredients of this invention together with conventional pharmaceutical carriers. Thus tablets, which may be coated and either effervescent or noneffervescent, may be prepared according to the known art. Inert diluents or carriers, for example, magnesium carbonate or lactose, can be used together with conventional disintegrating agents for example, magnesium stearate.

The spiro-lactams also can be used in combination with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents to produce a beneficial effect in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In this instance, commercially available insulin preparations or oral hypoglycemic agents, exemplified by acetohexamide, chlorpropamide, tolazamide, tolbutamide and phenformin, are suitable. The compounds hereof can be administered sequentially or simultaneously with insulin or the oral hypoglycemic agent. Suitable methods of administration, compositions and doses of the insulin preparation or oral hypoglycemic agent are described in medical textbooks; for instance, Physicians' Desk Reference, 42 ed., Medical Economics Co., Oradell, N.J., U.S.A., 1988.

The aldose reductase inhibiting property of the compounds of this invention and the utilization of the compounds in preventing, diminishing and alleviating diabetic complications are demonstrable in experiments using galactosemic rats, see Dvornik et al., Science, 182, 1146 (1973). Such experiments are exemplified hereinbelow after the listing of the following general comments pertaining to these experiments:

(a) Four or more groups of six male rats, 50-70 g, Sprague-Dawley strain, were used. The first group, the control group, was fed a mixture of laboratory chow (rodent Laboratory Chow, Purina) and glucose at 20% (w/w %) concentration. An untreated galactosemic group was fed a similar diet in which galactose was substituted for glucose. The third group was fed a diet prepared by mixing a given amount of the test compound with the galactose containing diet. The concentration of galactose in the diet of the treated groups was the same as that for the untreated galactosemic group.

(b) After four days, the animals were killed by euthanization. Both the lens and sciatic nerve were removed, weighed and stored frozen for polyol determination.

(c) The polyol determination was performed by a modification of the procedure of M. Kraml and L. Cosyns, Clin. Biochem., 2,373 (1969). Only two minor reagent changes were made: (a) the rinsing mixture was an aqueous 5% (w/v) trichloroacetic acid solution and (b) the stock solution was prepared by dissolving 25 mg of dulcitol in 100 mL of an aqueous trichloroacetic acid solution. [N.B.: For each experiment the average value found in the tissue from rats fed the glucose diet was subtracted from the individual values found in the corresponding tissue in galactose-fed rats to obtain the amount of polyol accumulated.] The aldose reductase inhibiting effects of the compounds of formula (I) were also tested by employing an in vitro testing procedure similar to that described by S. Hayman and J. H. Kinoshita, J. Biol. Chem., 240, 877 (1965). In the present case the procedure of Hayman and Kinoshita was modified in that the final chromatography step was omitted in the preparation of the enzyme from bovine lens.

The following tabulated results show that the spiro-lactams of this invention show the property that they are active both in vitro and in vivo and diminish the accumulation of dulcitol in the lenses, sciatic nerves and diaphragm of rats fed galactose. The figures under L, N, and D represent the percentage decrease of dulcitol accumulation in the tissues of the lens, sciatic nerve, and diaphragm, respectively, for treated rats as compared to untreated rats.

    ______________________________________                                         ALDOSE REDUCTASE INHIBITORS                                                     ##STR4##                                                                                               % Lowering Galactitol                                 % Inhibition             Accumulation                                          In Vitro       Dose      In vivo                                               R.sup.1                                                                            R.sup.3                                                                               10.sup.5                                                                             10.sup.-6                                                                           10.sup.-7                                                                           mg/kg/day                                                                              (%) L (%) N (%) D                           ______________________________________                                         Cl  CH.sub.3                                                                              84    75   22   49      66    87    82                                                         11      NS    47    70                              Br  CH.sub.3                                                                              96    77   16   28      36    54    86                              ______________________________________                                          (NS = not significant)                                                   

THE PROCESS

The spiro-lactams of the present invention were prepared by the following reaction scheme: ##STR5## wherein R¹ is halogen or hydrogen; R³ is alkyl or disubstituted aralkyl.

STEP A)

Reacting either 2-bromobenzoic acid or 2-chlorobenzoic acid of formula (III) wherein R¹ is as defined above with dimethyl malonate and NaH in the presence of a catalytic amount of CuBr to produce the propanedioic acid dimethyl ester of formula (IV) wherein R¹ is as defined above.

The 2-bromobenzoic acids or 2-chlorobenzoic acids of formula (III) required for the present invention are commercially available compounds or can be prepared by known methods.

STEP B)

The propanedioic acid dimethyl ester of formula (IV) can be reacted with thionyl chloride under refluxing conditions to produce the corresponding acid chloride which upon treatment with Et₃ N in a conventional solvent which does not adversely influence the reaction, for example, tetrahydrofuran, can produce the compound of formula (V), wherein R¹ is as defined above.

STEP C)

The compound of formula (V), wherein R¹ is as defined above, is reacted with R³ -NH₂ in the presence of Et₃ N in a conventional solvent which does not adversely influence the reaction, for example, DMF, produces the compound of the formula (VI), wherein R¹ and R³ are as defined above.

STEP D)

The compound of formula (VI), wherein R¹ and R³ are as defined above, is reacted with an inorganic base such as potassium carbonate in a conventional solvent which does not adversely influence the reaction, for example, N,N-dimethylformamide and subsequent addition of the tert-butyl bromoacetate produces the compound of formula (VII), wherein R¹ and R³ are as defined above.

STEP E)

The compound of formula (VII), wherein R¹ and R³ are as defined above, can be reacted with an organic acid such as trifluoroacetic acid in a conventional solvent which does not adversely influence the reaction, for example, methylene chloride, to produce the compound of formula (VIII), wherein R¹ and R³ are as defined above.

STEP F)

The compound of formula (VIII), wherein R¹ and R³ are as defined above, is reacted with an aqueous inorganic base such as sodium hydroxide, to produce the compound of formula (IX), wherein R¹ and R³ are as defined above.

STEP G)

The compound of formula (IX), wherein R¹ and R³ are as defined above, can be reacted first with thionyl chloride under refluxing conditions, and secondly with a saturated tetrahydrofuran-ammonium solution, to produce the compound of formula (X), wherein R¹ and R³ are as defined above.

STEP H)

The compound of formula (X), wherein R¹ and R³ are as defined above is reacted with a base such as sodium hydride in a conventional solvent which does not adversely influence the reaction, for example, N,N-dimethylformamide, to produce the compound of the formula (XI), wherein R¹ and R³ are as defined above.

The following examples further illustrate this invention:

EXAMPLE 1 2'-[(4-Bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]spiro[azetidine-2,4'(1'H)-isoquinoline]-1',3',4(2'H)-trione Step a) (2-Carboxyphenyl)propanedioic Acid Dimethyl Ester

To a rapidly stirred cold suspension (0° C.) of 2-bromobenzoic acid (30.0 g, 149.32 mmol), cuprous bromide (2.14 g, 14.93 mmol) and dimethyl malonate (300 mL) was added NaH (80% in mineral oil, 10.75 g, 358.37 mmol) over a 30 minute period, while a stream of dry N₂ was passed over the mixture. After the addition of the NaH had been completed, the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at room temperature and 30 minutes at 70° C. (external oil bath temperature). At this point, the suspension had turned to a solid mass, which was dissolved in H₂ O (1000 mL). The aqueous layer was extracted with diethyl ether (3×500 mL) and was acidified with HCl (2N). The mixture was extracted with EtOAc and dried over MgSO₄. Evaporation gave an off-white solid which was recrystallized from Et₂ O/hexane (after cooling to -20° C.) to give a white solid (34.2 g, 90.9%, m.p. 119°-120° C.)

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.67 [s, 6H, --CH(CO₂ CH₃)₂ ], 5.72 [s, 1H, --CH(CO₂ CH₃)₂ ], 7.3 (d, J=7.76 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.45 (dt, J=7.66 Hz, 1.12 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.6 (dt, J=7.66 Hz, 1.45 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.94 (dd, J=7.8 Hz, 1.33 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 13.2 (s, 1H, --CO₂ H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3300-2700 (CO₂ H), 1750 (CO), 1680 (CO)

MS (m/e): 252 (M⁺), 220 (M⁺ -CH₃ OH), 188 (M⁺ -2×CH₃ OH)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 57.14; H, 4.80. Found: C, 57.05; H; 4.78.

The following compounds were prepared in substantially the same manner as that of Example 1, Step a):

(2-Carboxy-6-fluorophenyl)propanedioic Acid Dimethyl Ester

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.68 [s, 6H, (--CO₂ Me)₂ ], 5.79 [s, 1H, Ar--CH(CO₂ Me)₂ ], 7.12 (dd, J=10.06 Hz, 2.61 Hz, 1H, Ar--H), 7.33 (dt, J=8.48 Hz, 2.64 Hz, 1H, Ar--H), 8.03 (dd, 8.77 Hz, 6.17 Hz, 1H, Ar--H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3400-2700 (CO₂ H), 1730 (CO), 1680 (CO)

MS (m/e): 270 (M⁺), 238 (M⁺ --CH₃ OH), 210 (M⁺ --CH₃ OH, --CO), 151 (M⁺ --CH₃ OH, --CO, --CO₂ CH₃)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 53.34; H, 4.10. Found: C, 53.36; H, 3.93

m.p. 121.5°-123.0° C.

(2-Carboxy-6-chlorophenyl)propanedioic Acid Dimethyl Ester

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 200 MHz): δ 3.69 [s, 6H, (--CO₂ Me)₂ ], 5.78 [s, 1H, Ar--CH(CO₂ Me)₂ ], 7.38 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H, Ar--H), 7.58 (dd, J=7.8 Hz, 1.8 Hz, 1H, Ar--H), 7.96 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H, Ar--H), 13.5 (br s, 1H, --CO₂ H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3200-2700 (CO₂ H), 1760 (CO), 1740 (CO), 1690 (CO)

MS (m/e): 286 (20 M⁺), 254 (64, M⁺ --CH₃ OH), 222 (60, M⁺ --2×CH₃ OH)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 50.28; H, 3.87. Found: C, 50.40; H, 3.87

m.p. 125°-127° C.

(2-Carboxy-6-bromophenyl)propanedioic Acid Dimethyl Ester

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.68 [s, 6H, --(CO₂ CH₃)₂ ], 5.74 (s, 1H, Ar--CH--), 7.5 (d, J=2.02 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.70 (dd, J=8.4 Hz, 1.98 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.87 (d, J=8.41 Hz, 1H, Ar-H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3400-2300 (CO₂ H), 1745 (CO), 1720 (CO), 1695 (CO)

MS (m/e): 330 (M⁺), 298 (M⁺ --CH₃ OH)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 43.53; H, 3.35 Found: C, 43.56; H, 3.23

m.p. 127°-128° C.

Step b) 3-Methoxy-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-4-carboxylic Acid Methyl Ester

A mixture of (2-carboxyphenyl)propanedioic acid dimethyl ester (10.0 g, 39.68 mmol) and SOCl₂ (100 g) was refluxed for 2 hours. The volatiles were removed in vacuo and the crude product (acid chloride) was dissolved in THF (200 mL). Triethylamine (27.64 mL, 198.4 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. The yellowish suspension was poured into HCl (1N, 1000 mL), extracted with EtOAc and the organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄. Evaporation and crystallization from acetone/ether/hexane (after cooling to -20° C.) gave a white solid (87.6 g, 94.4%, m.p. 129°-130° C.).

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.82, (s, 3H, --CO₂ Me), 4.03 (s, 3H, --OMe), 7.42 (t, J=7.26 Hz, 1H, Ar-e,uns/H/ ), 7.8 (t, J=8.2 Hz, 1H Ar-H), 7.9 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.1 (d, J=7.26 Hz, 1H, Ar-H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 1740 (CO), 1685 (CO)

MS (m/e): 234 (15, M⁺), 206 (38.5, M⁺ --CO), 203 (12, M⁺ --OMe)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 61.59; H. 4.30. Found: C, 61.82; H, 4.29.

The following compounds were prepared in substantially the same manner as that of Example 1, Step b):

6-Fluoro-3-methoxy-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-4-carboxylic Acid Methyl Ester

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.81 (s, 3H, --CO₂ CH₃), 4.06 (s, 3H, --OCH₃ --), 7.27 (dt, J=8.3 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.8 (dd, J=11.83 Hz, 2.49 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.16 (dd, J=8.92 Hz, 6.2 Hz, 1H, Ar-H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 1750 (CO), 1685 (CO)

MS (m/e): 252 (24, M⁺), 224 (54, M⁺ --CO)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 57.15; H, 3.60. Found: C, 57.19; H. 3.57.

m.p. 142°-143° C.

6-Chloro-3-methoxy-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-4-carboxylic Acid Methyl Ester

¹ H NMR (DMSO--D₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.81 (s, 3H, --CO₂ CH₃), 4.05 (s, 3H, --OCH₃), 7.44 (dd, J=8.56 Hz, 1.99 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.06 (m, 2H, Ar-H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 1750 (CO), 1690 (CO)

MS (m/e): 268 (34, M⁺), 240 (86, M⁺ --CO)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 53.65; H, 3.38. Found: C, 53.59; H, 3.35.

m.p. 194°-195° C.

6-Bromo-3-methoxy-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-4-carboxylic Acid Methyl Ester

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.81 (s, 3H, --CO₂ CH₃), 4.05 (s, 3H, --OCH₂), 7.6 (dd, J=8.38 Hz, 1.77 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.0 (d, J=8.39 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.23 (d, J=1.95 Hz, 1H, Ar-H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 1740 (CO), 1680 (CO)

MS (m/e): 312 (17 M⁺), 284 (45, M⁺ --CO)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 46.03; H, 2.90. Found: C, 46.12; H, 2.62.

m.p. 200°-201° C.

Step c) 2-[(4-Bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquino-linecarboxylic Acid Methyl Ester

To a solution of 3-methoxy-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (5.0 g, 21.37 mmol) in DMF (100 mL) were added 4-bromo-2-fluorobenzylamine (4.36 g, 21.37 mmol) and Et₃ N (5.96 mL, 42.74 mmol). The mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 30 minutes, poured into H₂ O (1500 mL), acidified with HCl (2N) and extracted with EtOAc. The organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄. Evaporation and crystallization from acetone/hexane (after cooling to -20° C.) gave a white solid (7.6 g, 87.7%, m.p. 149°-150° C.).

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ[3.67 (s), 3H, --CO₂ Me, tautomeric], [5.06 (q), J=15.4 Hz, 5.30 (s), 2H, -NCH₂ -, tautomeric], 5.4 (s), 1H, CH-CO₂ Me, tautomeric], 7.07-8.43 (m, 7H, Ar-H, tautomeric)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 1670 (CO), 1605 (CO)

MS (+FAB): 406 (80, M⁺ +H), 374 (40, M⁺ --OCH₃)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 53.22; H, 3.23; N, 3.45. Found: C, 53.19; H, 2.98; N, 3.40.

The following compounds were prepared in substantially the same manner as that of Example 1, Step c):

2-[(4-Bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]-6-fluoro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolinecarboxylic Acid Methyl Ester

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.98 (s, 3H, --CO₂ CH₃), 5.27 (s, 2H, --NCH₂ --), 7.08 (t, J=7.95 Hz, 2H, Ar-H), 7.2 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 7.34 (m, 2H, Ar-H, --OH), 7.54 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 8.1-8.26 (m, 2H, Ar-H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 1680 (CO), 1660 (CO), 1610 (CO)

MS (m/e): 423 (M⁺), 391 (M⁺ --CH₃ OH)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 50.97; H, 2.85; N, 3.30. Found: C, 50.86; H, 2.86; N, 3.33.

m.p. 157°-158° C.

6-Chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolinecarboxylic Acid Methyl Ester

¹ H NMR ](DMSO--d₆, 200 MHz): δ[3.23 (s), 3.44 (s), tautomeric, 3H, --NCH₃ ], [3.71 (s), 4.03 (s), tautomeric, 3H, --CO₂ CH₃ ], 7.3-8.4 (tautomeric, Ar-H, --OH, 4H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3440 (OH), 1680 (CO), 1600 (CO)

MS (m/e): 267 (M⁺), 235 (M⁺ --OMe)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 53.85; H, 3.77; N, 5.23. Found: C, 53.66; H, 3.63; N, 5.14.

m.p. 166°-167° C.

6-Bromo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolinecarboxylic Acid Methyl Ester

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ[3.2 (s), 3.42 (s), 3H, tautomeric, N-CH₃ ], [3.7 (s), 4.01 (s), 3H, tautomeric, --CO₂ CH₃ ], [5.33 (s), 1H, tautomeric, Ar-CH-], [7.5 (dd), 7.8 (dd), tautomeric, 1H, Ar-H, [8.0 (d), 8.08 (d), tautomeric, 1H, Ar-H], [8.51 (d), 7.63 (d), tautomeric, 1H, Ar-H]

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 1665 (CO), 605 (CO)

MS (m/e): 311 (M⁺)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 46.18; H, 3.23; N, 4.49. Found: C, 45.83; H, 2.77; N, 4.38.

m.p. 190°-191° C.

Step d) 2-[(4-Bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-(methoxycarbonyl)-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetic Acid 1,1-Dimethylethyl Ester

To a suspension of 2-[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolinecarboxylic acid methyl ester (4.79 g, 11.58 mmol), K₂ CO₃ (3.19 g, 23.16 mmol) in DMF (100 mL) was added tert-butyl bromoacetate (2.81 mL, 17.37 mmol). After stirring at 75° C. for 1 hour, the mixture was poured into H₂ O, extracted with EtOAc and dried over MgSO₄. Evaporation and purification by flash chromatography (hexane/EtOAc 4/1) gave a clear oil (5.69 g, 94.5%).

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 1.04 [s, 9H, --C(CH₃)₃ ], 3.53 s, 3H, --CO₂ CH₃), 3.60 [dd, J=17.7 Hz, 2H, --CH₂ CO₂ (CH₃)₃ ], 5.14 (s, 2H, NCH₂ --), 7.17 (t, J=8.25 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.36 (dd, J=8.36 Hz, 1.75 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.6 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.77 (dt, J=7.2 Hz, 1.27 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.19 (dd, J=8.25 Hz, 1.54 Hz, 1H, Ar-H)

IR (CHCl₃, cm⁻¹): 1720 (CO), 1675 (CO)

MS (m/e): 520 (M+H)⁺, 464 [M⁺ --C(CH₃)₃ ].

The following compounds were prepared in substantially the same manner as that of Example 1, Step d):

2-[(4-Bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]-6-fluoro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-(methoxycarbonyl)-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetic Acid1,1-Dimethylethyl Ester

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 200 MHz): δ 1.10 (s, 9H, --CMe₃), 3.55 (s, 3H, --CO₂ CH₃), 3.62 (d, J=17.5 Hz, 1H, -CH₂ CO₂ CMe₃), 3.75 (d, J=17.5 Hz, 1H, --CH₂ CO₂ CMe₃), 5.15 (s, 2H, --NCH₂ --), 7.15 (t, J=8.2 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.35 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.45-7.70 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 8.38 (dd, J=8.16 Hz, 5.70 Hz, 1H, Ar-H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 1750 (CO), 1720 (CO), 1675 (CO)

MS (m/e): 538 (M+H)⁺, 481 (M⁺ +H--CMe₃)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 53.55; H, 4.12; N, 2.60. Found: C, 53.49; H, 4.00; N, 2.63.

6-Chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetic Acid 1,1-Dimethylethyl Ester

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 200 MHz): δ 1.06 (s, 9H, --CO₂ CMe₃), 3.3 (s, 3H, --NCH₃), 3.6 (s, 3H, --CO₂ CH₃), 3.67 (q, J=17.5 Hz, 2H, --CH₂ CO₂ CMe₃), 7.68 (dd, J=9.0 Hz, 1.6 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.77 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.21 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H, Ar-H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 1740 (CO), 1720 (CO), 1680 (CO)

MS (m/e): 381 (M⁺)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 56.82; H, 5.28; N, 3.67 Found: C, 57.00; H, 5.41; N, 3.66

m.p. 135°-136° C.

6-Bromo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetic Acid 1,1-Dimethylethyl Ester

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 200 MHz): δ 1.05 [s, 9H, --C(CH₃)₃ ], 3.28 (s, 3H, --NCH₃), 3.59(s, 3H,--CO₂ CH₃), 3.58 (d, J=17.03 Hz, 1H, --CH₂ CO₂ --), 3.67 (d, J=17.03 Hz, 1H, --CH₂ CO₂ --), 7.81 (dd, J=8.4 Hz, 1.85 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.88 (d, J=1.81 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.08 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H, Ar-H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 1740 (CO), 1710 (CO), 1670 (CO)

MS (m/e): 425 (M⁺), 370 (M⁺ --C₄ H₇), 352 (M⁺ --C₄ H₉ O)

Anal. Calcd.: AC, 50.72; H, 4.73; N, 3.29. Found: C, 50.47; H, 4.68; N, 3.12.

m.p. 152°-153° C.

Step e) 2-[(4-Bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-(methoxycarbonyl)-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetic Acid

A mixture of 2-[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-(methoxycarbonyl)-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetic acid 1,1-dimethylethyl ester (5.19 g, 9.81 mmol), CH₂ Cl₂ (100 mL) and CF₃ CO₂ H (20 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. The volatiles were removed in vacuo and the residue was purified by flash chromatography on acid washed silica gel (5% H₃ PO₄ in MeOH), to give a white solid (4.12 g. 90.5%, m.p. 139°-140° C.).

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.54 (s, 3H, CO₂ CH₃), 3.64 (q, J=17.67 Hz, 2H, CH₂ CO₂ H), 5.12 (q, J=15.34 Hz, 2H, --NCH₂ --), 7.14 (t, J=8.22 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.3 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.5-7.6 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.76 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.16 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 12.35 (s, 1H, --CO₂ H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3280 (OH), 3200-2700 (CO₂ H), 1750 (CO), 1720 (CO), 1675 (CO)

MS (m/e): 463 (M⁺), 445 (M⁺ --H, --OH)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 51.28; H, 3.30; N, 2.99 Found: C, 51.26; H, 3.48; N, 2.95 .

The following compound was obtained in substantially the same manner as that of Example 1, Step e):

2-[(4-Bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]-6-fluoro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-(methoxy-carbonyl)-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetic Acid

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.56 (s, 3H, --CO₂ CH₃), 3.6 (d,J=17.9 Hz, 1H, --CH₂ CO₂ H), 3.8 (d, J=17.9 Hz, 1H, --CH₂ CO₂ H), 5.1 (dd, J=15.5 Hz, 2H, --NCH₂ --), 7.12 (s, J=8.23 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.31 (dd, J=8.28 Hz, 1.68 Hz,, 1H, Ar-H), 7.45 (dt, J=8.56 Hz, 2.5 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.54 (dd, J=9.77 Hz, 1.89 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.64 (dd, J=9.61 Hz, 2.46 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.23 (dd, J=8.79 Hz, 5.81 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 12.67 (br s, 1H, --CO₂ H)

IR(KBr, cm⁻¹): 3400-2700 (CO₂ H), 1745 (CO), 1710 (CO), 1670 (CO) MS (m/e): 481 (M⁺), 405 (M⁺ --CO₂, --CH₃ OH)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 49.81; H, 2.93; N, 2.90. Found: C, 49.94; H, 3.03; N, 2.84.

m.p. 132°-133.5° C.

6-Chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetic Acid

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 200 MHz): δ 3.27 (s, 3H, --CH₃), 3.59 (s, 3H, --CO₂ CH₃), 3.64 (q, J=17.5 Hz, 2H, --CH₂ CO₂ H), 7.65 (dd, J=8.6 Hz, 2.0 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.78 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.18 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H, Ar-H)

IR(KBr, cm⁻¹): 3440 (OH), 3200-2700 (CO₂ H), 1750 (CO), 1710 (CO), 1675 (CO)

MS (m/e): 325 (M⁺)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 51.63; H, 3.71; N, 4.30. Found: C, 51.73; H, 2.70; N, 4.28.

m.p. 195°-196° C.

6-Bromo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetic Acid

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 200 MHz): δ 3.26 (s, 3H, N--CH₃), 3.53 (d, J=17.2 Hz, 1H, --CH₂ H), 3.58 (s, 3H, --CO₂ CH₃), 3.74 (d, J=17.2 Hz, 1H, --CH₂ CO₂ H), 7.77 (dd, J=8.2 Hz, 2.2 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.87 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.0 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 12.64 (s, 1H,--CO₂ H)

IR(KBr, cm⁻¹): 3450-2600 (CO₂ H), 1735 (CO), 1700 (CO), 1660 (CO)

MS (m/e): 369 (M⁺), 324 (M⁺ --CO₂ H)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 45.43; H, 3.27; N, 3.78. Found: C, 45.04; H, 3.16; N, 3.62.

m.p. 194°-195° C.

Step f) 2-[(4-Bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetic Acid

To a solution of 2-[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-(methoxycarbonyl)-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetic acid (2.2 g, 4.75 mmol) in THF (30 mL) and MeOH (30 mL) was added aqueous NaOH (2.5N, 15 mL). After stirring for 30 minutes, the mixture was poured into H₂ O (1000 mL), acidified with HCl (2N) and extracted with EtOAc. The organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄. Evaporation and crystallization from ethyl ether/hexane gave a white solid (1.25 g, 65.0%, m.p. 185°-187° C.).

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.34 (d, 2H, --CH₂ CO₂ H), 4.36 (t, J=4.11 Hz, 1H, ArCHCH₂ CO₂ H), 5.05 (dd, J=15.5 Hz, 2H, --NCH₂ --), 7.2 (t, J=8.13 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.23 (dd, J=8.35 Hz, 1.76 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.48 (t, J=7.57 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.52 (dd, J=9.77 Hz, 1.78 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.58 (d, J=7.83 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.70 (dt, J=7.73 Hz, 1.2 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.06 (dd, J=7.86 Hz, 1.02 Hz, Ar-H), 12.43 (s, 1H, --CO₂ H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3350-2200 (CO₂ H), 1730 (CO), 1710 (CO), 1670 (CO) M/S (m/e): 405 (M+), 387 (M⁺ --H₂ O)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 53.22; H, 3.23; N, 3.45. Found: C, 52.88; H, 3.49; N, 3.57.

The following compounds were prepared in substantially the same manner as that of Example 1, Step f):

2-[(4-Bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]-6-fluoro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetic Acid

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.43 (m, 2H, --CH₂ CO₂ H), 4.37 (t, J=4.09 Hz, 1H, ArCHCH₂), 5.03 (dd, J=15.4 Hz, 1H, --NCH₂), 7.15 (t, J=8.21 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.23 (dd, J=8.35 Hz, 1.81 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.31 (dt, J=8.48 Hz,, 2.14 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.51-7.56 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 8.1 (dd, J=8.77 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 12.46 (s, 1H, --CO₂ H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3400-2400 (CO2H), 1725 (CO), 1710 (CO), 1670 (CO)

M/S (m/e): 423 (M⁺), 405 (M⁺ --H₂ O)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 50.97; H, 2.85; N, 3.30. Found: C, 50.75; H, 2.64; N, 3.18

m.p. 201°-203° C.

6-Chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetic Acid

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.2 (s, 3H, --NCH₃), 3.32 (m, 2H, --CH₂ CO₂ H), 4.25 (m, 1H, --CHCH₂ CO₂ H), 7.5 (dd, J=8.4 Hz, 2.2 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.7 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.0 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 12.38 (brs, 1H, CO₂ H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3300-2700 (CO₂ H), 1725 (CO), 1700 (CO), 1670 (CO)

MS (m/e): 267 (30, M⁺), 249 (76, M⁺ --H₂ O), 221 (100, M⁺ --H₂ O, --CO)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 53.83; H, 3.74; N, 5.23. Found: C, 53.85; H, 3.69; N, 4.90.

m.p. 164°-165° C.

6-Bromo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetic Acid

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.19 (s, 3H, --NCH₃), 3.32 (m, 2H, --CH₂ CO₂ H), 4.24 (t, J=4.31 Hz, 1H, --CHCH₂ CO₂ H), 7.66 (dd, J=8.38 Hz, 1.9 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.84 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.96 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 12.39 (brs, 1H, --CO₂ H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3200-1700 (CO₂ H), 1710 (CO), 1690 (CO), 1650 (CO)

MS (m/e): 311 (38, M⁺), 293 (100, M⁺ --H₂ O), 265 (96, M⁺ --H₂ O, --CO)

Anal. Calcd: C, 46.18; H, 3.23; N, 4.49. Found: C, 46.12; H, 3.26; N, 4.45.

m.p. 179°-180° C.

Step g) 2-[(4-Bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]-4-chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetamide

A mixture of 2-[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinoline-acetic acid (1.5 g, 3.69 mmol), C₆ H₅ CH₃ (25 mL) and SOCl₂ (5 mL) was stirred at 85° C. for 4 hours. The volatiles were removed in vacuo and the residue was dissolved in THF (10 mL). In a second flask was placed THF (40 mL) and NH₃ (g) was bubbled through for 1 minute. The mixture was cooled to 0° C. and the contents of the first flask were added slowly. After 20 minutes the mixture was poured into H₂ O (500 mL), acidified with HCl (2N) and extracted with EtOAc.

The organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄. Evaporation and purification by flash chromatography on acid washed (5% H₃ PO₄ in MeOH) silica gel followed by crystallization from ether/hexane (after cooling to -20° C.) gave a white solid (830 mg, 51.1%, m.p. 91°-93° C.).

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.8 (d, J=16.4 Hz, 1H, --HHCHCONH₂), 3.85 (d, J=16.4 Hz, 1H, --HCHCONH₂), 5.12 (s, 2H, --NCH₂), 7.05 (s, 1H, --CONH₂), 7.22-7.29 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.54-7.64 (m, 3H, Ar-H, --CONH₂), 7.84-7.89 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 8.1 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H, Ar-H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3400 (NH), 1725 (CO), 1670 (CO)

MS (CI): 439 (76, M⁺ +H)

Anal. Calcd: C, 49.17; H, 2.98; N, 6.37. Found: C, 49.56; H, 2.95; N, 6.40.

The following compounds were obtained in substantially the same manner as that of Example 1, Step g):

2-[(4-Bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]-4-chloro-6-fluoro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetamide

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.75 (d, J=16.44 Hz, 1H, --HCHCONH₂), 3.91 (d, J=16.44 Hz, 1H, --HCHCONH₂), 5.1 (s, 2H, --NCH₂ --), 7.11 (s, 1H, --CONH₂), 7.2 (t, J=8.1 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.26 (dd, J=8.38 Hz, 1.65 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.47 (dt, J=8.53 Hz, 2.33 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.57 (dd, J=9.8 Hz, 1.7 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.61 (d, 1H, --CONH₂), 7.87 (dd, J=9.7 Hz, 2.36 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.17 (dd, J=8.8 Hz, 5.83 Hz, 1H, Ar-H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3450 (NH), 3340 (NH), 1720 (CO), 1660 (CO)

MS (m/e): 456 (M⁺)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 47.24; H, 2.64; N, 6.12. Found: C, 47.57; H, 2.62; N, 6.02.

m.p. 84°-86° C.

4,6-Dichloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetamide

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.27 (s, 3H, --NCH₃), 3.71 (d, J=16.38 Hz, 1H, --HCHCONH₂), 3.9 (d, J=16.38 Hz, 1H, --HCHCONH₂), 7.01 (s, 1H, --CONH₂), 7.56 (s, 1H, CONH₂), 7.67 (dd, J=8.44 Hz, 2.0 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.03 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.1 (d, J=8.42 Hz, 1H, Ar-H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3370 (NH), 3180 (NH), 1720 (CO), 1690 (CO), 1670 (CO)

MS (m/e): 300 (7, M⁺)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 47.86; H, 3.35; N, 9.30. Found: C, 47.85; H, 3.31; N, 9.17.

m.p. 190°-191° C.

6-Bromo-4-chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetamide

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 200 MHz): δ 3.19 (s, 3H, --NCH₃), 5.0 (brs, 2H, --CH₂ CONH₂), 7.59 (s, 1H, --CONH₂), 7.85 (m, 2H, --CONH₂, Ar-H), 8.0 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.45 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H, Ar-H)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3400 (NH), 3260 (NH), 1710 (CO), 1680 (CO), 1650 (CO)

MS (c/e): 343 (64, M⁺)

Anal. Calcd: C, 41.71; H, 2.92; N, 8.11. Found: C, 42.30; H, 2.47; N, 8.14.

m.p. 211°-213° C.

Step h) 2'-[(4-Bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]spiro[azetidine-2,4'(1'H)-isoquinoline]-1',3',4(2'H)-trione

To a solution of 2-[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]-4-chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetamide (340 mg, 0.77 mmol) in DMF (15 mL) was added NaH (80% dispersion in oil, 50.82 mg, 1.69 mmol). After stirring for 30 minutes the mixture was poured into H₂ O, acidified with HCl (2N) and extracted with EtOAc. The organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄. Evaporation and purification by flash chromatography on acid washed (5% H₃ PO₄ in MeOH) silica gel, followed by crystallization from hexane/ether (after cooling to -20° C.) gave a yellow solid (220 mg, 70.7%, m.p. 225°-227° C.).

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.15 (d, J=18.5 Hz, 1H, --HCHCONH--), 3.31 (d, J=18.5 Hz, 1H, --HCHCONH--), 4.63 (d, J=16.2 Hz, 1H, --NHCH--), 4.79 (d, J=16.2 Hz, 1H, --NHCH--), 7.26 (t, (t, J=8.09 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.34 (dd, J=8.3 Hz, 1.87 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.5 (dd, J=9.75 Hz, 1.87 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.59-7.62 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.67 (dt, J=7.68 Hz, 1.04 Hz, 1H,, Ar-H), 7078 (d, J=7.47 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 11.94 (s, 1H, --CONH--)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3050 (NH), 1720 (CO), 1675 (CO)

MS (m/e): 402 (M⁺)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 53.62; H, 3.00; N, 6.95. Found: C, 53.52; H, 3.15; N, 6.78.

The following compounds were obtained in substantially the same manner as that of Example 1, Step h).

2'-[(4-Bromo-2-fluorophenyl)methyl]-6'-fluorospiro[azetidine-2,4'(1'H)-isoquinoline]-1',3',4(2'H)-trione

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 3.21 (d, J=18.76 Hz, 1H, --HCHCONH--), 3.29 (d, J=18.76 Hz, 1H, --HCHCONH--), 4.57 (d, J=16.0 Hz, 1H, --NHCH--), 4.78 (d, J=16.0 Hz, --NHCH), 7.24 (t, J=8.2 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.33 (dd, J=8.19 Hz, 1.74 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.43 (dt, J=9.25 Hz, 2.2 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.49 (dd, J=9.68 Hz, 1.74 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.7 (dd, J=8.7 Hz, 2.16 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.82 (dd, J=8.39 Hz, 5.07 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 11.93 (s, 1H, --CONH--)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3040 (NH), 1715 (CO), 1675 (CO)

MS (m/e): 420 (6, M⁺)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 51.33; H, 2.63; N, 6.65. Found: C, 51.07; H, 2.74; N, 6.41.

m.p. 244°-246° C.

6'-Chloro-2'-methylspiro[azetidine-2,4'(1'H)-isoquinoline]. 1',3',4(2'H)-trione

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 2.89 (s, 3H, --NCH₃),3.22 (d, J=18.7 Hz, 1H, --HCHCON--), 3.37 (d, J=18.7 H, 1H, --HCHCON--), 7.64 (dd, J=8.1 Hz, 1.87 Hz, H, Ar-H), 7.72 (d, J=8.1 Hz, Ar-H), 7.95 (d, J=1.87 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 12.11 (s, 1H, --CONH--)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3180 (NH), 1720 (CO), 1680 (CO)

MS ((m/e): 264 (14, M⁺)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 54.44; H, 3.43; N, 10.58. Found: C, 54.06; H, 3.46; N, 10.23.

m.p. 325° C. (dec.).

6'-Bromo-2'-methylspiro[azetidine-2,4'(1'(H)-isoquinoline]-1',3',4(2'H)-trione

¹ H NMR (DMSO--d₆, 400 MHz): δ 2.88 (s, 3H, --NCH₃), 3.21(d, J=18.74 Hz, 1H, --HCHCONH--), 3.36 (d, J=18.74 Hz, 1H, --HCHCONH--), 7.65 (d, J=8.04 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.77 (dd, J=8.05 Hz, J=1.63 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 8.08 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 12.11 (s, 1H, --CONH--)

IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3160 (NH), 1715 (CO), 1690 (CO)

MS (m/e): 323 (14, M⁺), 306 (34, M⁺, --NH₃), 278 (94, M⁺ --NH₃, --CO)

Anal. Calcd.: C, 46.63; H 2.93; N, 9.06. Found: C, 46.73; H, 2.89; N, 8.84.

m.p. 306°-308° C. 

We claim:
 1. The compound of structural formula (II) ##STR6## wherein: R¹ and R² are hydrogen and halogen, and R³ is lower alkyl containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
 2. The compound according to claim 1 6'-chloro-2'-methylspiro[azetidine-2,4'(1'H)-isoquinoline]-1',3',4(2'H)-trione.
 3. The compound according to claim 1 6'-bromo-2'-methylspiro[azetidine-2,4'(1'H)-isoquinoline]-1',3',4(2'H)-trione. 